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What is cell walls?

The plant cell wall is a remarkable structure. It provides the most significant difference between plant cells and other eukaryotic cells. The cell wall is rigid (up to many micrometers in thickness) and gives plant cells a very defined shape. While most cells have a outer membrane, none is comparable in strength to the plant cell wall. The cell wall is the reason for the difference between plant and animal cell functions. Because the plant has evolved this rigid structure, they have lost the opportunity to develop nervous systems, immune systems, and most importantly, mobility.

The cell wall is composed of cellulose fiber, polysaccharides, and proteins.


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